Entry Level Climate Change Policy Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Under the close supervision of the Policy Unit Manager, the Air Pollution Specialist (Environmental Policy Specialist) primarily provides support on the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
This includes providing technical analysis and guidance to support implementation of the CEQA Judicial Streamlining Program, which combines both the SB 7 Environmental Leadership Development Project Program and the SB 149 Infrastructure Streamlining Program. Judicial Streamlining Program staff assist the Governor in determining if the statutory criteria for certification have been met. If a project has been certified by the Governor for judicial streamlining and a CEQA lawsuit is filed, the courts must use expedited rules of court that reduce the time of the litigation to approximately 9 months. The Environmental Policy Specialist reviews judicial streamlining applications to assist in making a recommendation to the Governor's Office about whether the statutory requirements have been met, checks for technical accuracy, and identifies feasible mitigation measures.
The Environmental Policy Specialist supports the broader Policy Unit on developing various CEQA Technical Advisories, assisting with the update of the CEQA Guidelines, and other CEQA policy-related efforts. To fulfill these duties, knowledge and expertise of carbon sequestration, including soil health and living systems is desired. Familiarity with the principles of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions quantification or inventories is a plus.
The Environmental Policy Specialist supports the advancement of broad State goals and priorities in this role, including ecosystem and environmental health, climate change mitigation and GHG reduction, infill development, improved transportation efficiency (with respect to vehicle miles traveled), housing production and affordability, economic development and shared prosperity, climate resiliency, and social and racial equity.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects with or without reasonable accommodation. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Occasional/overnight travel up to 15% may be required.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523025
Position #(s):
368-508-3887-002
Working Title:
Environmental Policy Specialist
Classification:
AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST $5,918.00 - $7,059.00 A
$7,089.00 - $8,872.00 B
$9,158.00 - $11,455.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) serves the Governor and his Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research and constitutes the comprehensive state planning agency. LCI assists the Governor and the Administration in planning, research, policy development, and legislative analysis. LCI formulates long- range state goals and policies to address land use, climate change, population growth and distribution, urban expansion, infrastructure development, groundwater sustainability and drought response, and resource protection. LCI's programs include State Planning and Policy Development, Strategic Growth Council, and Racial Equity Commission. LCI is a fast-paced, creative work environment that requires staff to have strong collaboration skills, an ability to quickly respond to changing policy needs, and a positive attitude and sense of humor. This position is in the Policy Unit of LCI, which includes the CEQA Policy, Policy Innovation, and Planning Teams. Proven commitment to creating a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences.
This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work four days per week and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the LCI policies.
In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees' monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.
CA residency:
Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.
Department Website: https://lci.ca.gov/
Special Requirements

• Ability to maintain consistent attendance
• Ability to demonstrate punctuality, initiative, and dependability

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/27/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
Attn: HR YP
1400 10th Street
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
HR YP
1400 10th Street
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• School Transcripts
• Supplemental Application -
  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. The statement of qualifications is a narrative discussion of how the candidate's education training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications and demonstrate the candidate's ability to perform the job duties listed in this bulletin. The supplemental questionnaire serves as a documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Résumés in lieu of the SOQ will not be considered.
  Refer to the SOQ Requirement Section of this job posting for the SOQ questions.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Demonstrated expertise in state and/or local programs and policies related to land use planning, regional planning, sustainability and climate change.
• Experience conducting air quality, GHG, and/or environmental analyses used in the preparation of environmental documents required for CEQA compliance.
• Knowledge of soil science and the study of living systems (water, nitrogen, carbon).
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills, including the ability to conduct technical analysis, key informant interviews, synthesize existing research, design data collection mechanisms, conduct literature review, and write reports.Familiarity with the principles of regeneration in relation to ecosystem health.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emissions inventories, GHG quantification and mitigation guidance, and scientific principles of climate change and air pollution.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to communicate to diverse audiences.
• Experience managing a deadline-driven, collaborative process with multiple partners.
• Excellent collaboration skills including experience facilitating consensus decision-making processes, navigating complex policy issues, and engaging a wide range of stakeholders.Ability to lead and inspire teamwork and collaboration by being accessible, supportive, and empathetic, and maintain constructive team relationships.
• Strong work ethic, proactive, detail-oriented and organized.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to prioritize emergent and ongoing tasks.
• Good judgment and reasoning skills, including ability to navigate complex situations while considering a variety of factors including ethics, cultural differences, facts and assumptions, consequences and risks, and the needs of all parties.
• Proven commitment to creating a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences.

Benefits
There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

• Pension through CALPERS
• Medical Benefits, including health , dental , and vision insurance
• Medical benefits into retirement
• Deferred Compensation options: 401k and 457b
• Leave benefit options (Vacation/Sick or Annual Leave)
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• ScholarShare (College Saving Account)
• School Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Department Website: https://lci.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Yucary Padilla
(916) 758-0579
yucary.padilla@lci.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Patricia Kennedy
ext:
patricia.kennedy@lci.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Alanna Dayton
(279) 228-3940
alanna.dayton@lci.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Statement of Qualifications
When completing the supplemental questionnaire, you must title the page "Supplemental Questionnaire" and include your name and the Job Control number at the top of each page. Please list each question and provide your response directly below it. Be sure to include all relevant experience, education, and trainin